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25
Life Together at Christ’s United
1
Life Together at Christ’s United Lutheran Church
Join us for Worship Saturday 5:00 p.m. & Sunday 9:30 a.m.
Journey & Fellowship 10:45
2
Christ’s United Lutheran Church One God. One People. One Purpose.
437 Airport Road, Ashland, PA 17921
www.christsunited.org
(570) 875-1591 January 2017
Status of Accounts as of November 30 Balance in Checking Account……………negative $2,441.35
Amount needed in offerings per month to meet our 2016 Annual Budget
of $174,914.20 is $14,576.18
November income was $14,886.27
Benevolence Gifts…………………………………...……-$15,852.84
(79% of our Benevolence goal of $20,000.00 for 2016)
Pastors Message 3
Council Highlights 4
Memorials 6-7
Youth Group News 8-9
Birthdays &
Anniversaries
10-11
Serving our Community
Of Faith
13
Calendar 14-15
Prayer List 16
Social Ministry 18
Capital Campaign 20
WELCA News 22
In This Issue:
Life Together at Christ’s United
27
CHURCH COUNCIL 2017 [email protected]
Phone Term Expires
Beth Andrews (Secretary) 570-874-2381 Feb. 2018
Gregg Sterling 570-449-6940 Feb. 2018
Angie Berger 570-875-3598 Feb. 2019
Deb Berner 570-875-3209 Feb. 2017
John Denchak 570-875-4970 Feb. 2017
Deidre Dengler Youth Rep. Sept. 2016
Gregg Sterling 570-449-6940 Feb. 2019
John Towey 570-205-2682 Feb. 2018
Mark Varndell 570-875-2545 Feb. 2019
Deb Zaharick 570-875-2691 Feb. 2017
PASTOR
Rev. Dr. Kim L. Lengert
570-336-3110
STAFF
Parish Visitor Lois Sterling 570-449-6947
Parish Administrator Deb Hall 570-875-1591
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30-3:00
Director of Music Position open
Treasurer Ann Marie Dillman 570-875-2422
Indoor Custodian Cheryl Varndell 570-875-2545
Outdoor Custodian Bill Price 570-875-4272
Financial Secretary Christine Brennan 570-875-0720
26
Christ’s United Lutheran Church
Mission Statement
We the members of Christ’s
United Lutheran Church, Ashland,
desiring to be blessed together with
Word and Sacrament and to
become more perfectly the Body of
Christ in our world, do hereby
commit ourselves to a mission
which includes a creative re-
examination of our worship life; a
quality educational program for all
ages; intentional witnessing; a
serving spirit; and an integrated
support system which will under
gird our program and the
maintenance of our facilities as it
encourages improved stewardship.
Christ’s United Ministry Teams
Christian Education
Evangelism/Outreach
Lutheran Church Men (LCM)
Social Ministry
Stewardship
WELCA
Worship & Music
Christ’s United Committees
Auditing & Finance Committees
Endowment Fund
Mutual Ministry
Nominating
Personnel
Property
Life Together at Christ’s United
3
Pastor Kim’s Message
The Pastor’s Part:
So what?
It's the new year. Resolutions have been made, the year switched a number, the ball
has dropped, the cigar has gone up, and everyone wants something better than they
had before.
Like I said, so what? It may be a new year, but there isn’t anything "new" about it.
We're living in the same place, have the same friends, driving the same car, getting
up for the same job and wearing the same clothes.
People may want this year to be different, but wanting it doesn't make it happen.
Contrary to the advertisements, "wanting" doesn't change our wardrobe, bank
account, relationship, or luck. "Wanting" doesn't change anything, especially us.
You want something? So what?
Change – newness - doesn't happen because of wanting: change – newness –
happens because of doing. Change is made, not received. Maybe that's why the new
year begins in the season of Christmas.
For thousands of years God had been telling the people about change. The Word had
been out there. But nothing was happening. So instead of just wanting, God starting
doing: God spoke to Mary, and to Joseph, and "the virgin did conceive, and bore a
Son" called Immanuel, meaning "God is with us". In Jesus Christ, God came to be
with the people, to show the way, to heal the sick, make the blind see, the deaf hear
and the lame walk; the prisoners were set free and the poor had the good news
preached to them.
In Jesus Christ everything changes. Even you.
This year, stop wanting change, and start being it.
Be made new, in Jesus Christ.
Peace, Pastor Kim
4
Church Council Highlights from December:
1) Due to Stewart Anthony's resignation, Dennis Wolfe was appointed to serve on Council for 3 months until the election at the Annual Meeting. 2) Gregg Sterling was nominated to serve as Vice-President. 3) Average weekly worship attendance for November-- 122, for the year--121.
Pastoral Acts
Baptism :
12/04/16 Brayden Michael Ladick
Funeral Services:
11/29/16 Palmer Kimmel
12/05/16 Ralph “Cappy” Johnson
12/07/16 Randy Troutman
12/16/16 Sue Bendinsky
January’s council
Member of the month is
John Denchak
The Council Member of the Month is
the “on call” member of council. The
council member of the month is the
person to call if you have any concerns
(other than pastoral concerns), notice the church
lights on at 11 p.m., or need access to the building.
Life Together at Christ’s United
25
24
Community Blood Drive
Christ’s United Lutheran Church
Community Room
437 Airport Road (Gordon) Ashland, PA 17921
Monday, February 6, 2017
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Please contact Debbie Hall or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2676) or visit
www.redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment.
Open to the public and walk-Ins are Welcome!
Life Together at Christ’s United
5
Watch for details on a new Bible Study coming soon!
Want to spend more time with the “WORD”?
Do you want to share an Inspirational Book or CD
you have read or listened to that really had an impact on your life??
6
The following Memorials were given to Christ’s
United since the issue of the last Newsletter:
$ 20.00 in Memory of Tim Varndell by:
Donald & Laray Klinger
$ 40.00 in Memory of Palmer Kimmel by:
Donald & Laray Klinger
Irene Morgan
$1015.00 in Memory of Ralph “Cappy” Johnson by:
Victor Mickatavage Terry & Dorothy Kessler
Laray & Don Klinger Allen Johnson & Family
Frank & Karen Smith John & Maryann Wolfgang
Jack & Frieda Johnson Dorothy & Catherine Stanitis
Christina & Barry Bucher Jeanette Zerbe
Jo-Ann & Leo Young Joseph & Lee Anne Mattucci
Eloise & Richard Britt Julia, Gary & Larry Klinger
Mr. & Mrs. David Slotterback Patricia Procopio
SCI—Frackville employees SCI –Frackville Food Service Staff
Ralph Johnson & Family Irene Morgan
$ 40.00 in Memory of Randy Troutman by:
Donald & Laray Klinger
Irene Morgan
$120.00 in Memory of Sue Bendinsky by:
John E. & Patricia Lockhart-Rogers
Marlene Lucas
Constance J. Welker
Gerry & Bonnie Dillman
Irene Morgan
Life Together at Christ’s United
23
Lessons from a snowman It’s okay to wear white well after Labor Day. • Simply hanging out in your front yard can be fun. • Accessories don’t have to be fancy or expensive.
• We’re all made mostly of water. • You know you’ve “arrived” when a song is written about you. • So what if you’re a little bottom-heavy? • Don’t get too much sun. • Sweating too much can be disastrous!
2017 Sponsorships
The new sponsorship sign up sheets are now posted
on the bulletin board.
Sign up for: Altar Flowers $25.00,
Palms for Palm Sunday $12.00,
Worship Bulletins $15.00,
Special service bulletins $10.00,
Sanctuary Candle $10.00,
Children’s Bulletins $10.00, and
Monthly Newsletters $40.00.
Payments for Altar flowers should now be given to Cathy
Troutman. All other payments should be made out to the
church and given to Deb Hall in the church office.
22
JANUARY WELCA
MEETING The January meeting for WELCA will be held
January 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Gifts for Shut-Ins Thank you to Laray Klinger, Pearl Lute, Darcie
Gruber, and Nancy Lindenmuth for preparing the “Clothing Protectors” given to the shut-ins.
KNAUGHTY KNOTTERS
Knaughty Knotters will resume on Tuesday, January 10th at
9:00. Weather permitting, we will meet each Tuesday until Lent begins.
WELCA News
Ladies Nite Out: We need old friends to help us grow old
and new friends to help us stay young.
Letty Cottin Pogrebin
Laugh and the world laughs with you.
Cry and you cry with your girlfriends.
Laurie Kuslansky
Come sit by the fire as we begin the new year reminiscing of where
we have been and dreaming of where we will go! Please bring a
covered dish to share and meet at Pastor's on Sunday January 8,
2017. Carpooling from the church is advised to help with parking!
Sign up on the bulletin board!
Life Together at Christ’s United
7
Memorials Continued:
$20.00 in Memory of Sue Bendinsky for the Endowment Fund
by Don & Laray Klinger
$20.00 in Memory of “Cappy” Johnson for the Capital Campaign
by Jo-Ann & Leo Young.
$20.00 in Memory of “Cappy Johnson” for Christ’s Cupboard
by Terry & Dorothy Kessler
$50.00 in Memory of Palmer Kimmel, “Cappy” Johnson, Randy
Troutman & Matthew Wolfgang for the Capital Campaign
by Ron & Donna Wallace.
$20.00 in Memory of “Cappy” Johnson for the Capital Campaign
by Jo-Ann & Leo Young.
$20.00 in Memory of “Cappy Johnson” for Christ’s Cupboard
by Terry & Dorothy Kessler
$100 in Honor of their mothers, Margaret Hoenich and Rebecca
Yorty for Christ’s Cupboard by Pastor Bob & Nan Hoenich
Several jackets and blazers
have been left on the coat
racks in the lobby area of
the church. Please check to
see if you are missing a
jacket or blazer. If you are, call the church office
and describe it. We’ll let you know if its one of
them.
8
Jr. Youth is for all elementary age
members of Christ’s United!
Special activities—
including projects and
field trips— occur throughout the year. Watch
the Youth bulletin board and
the Church FaceBook
pages for the next
adventure in the making!
Life Together at Christ’s United
21
WHO ARE
These People??? Last month’s “Who Are These People” are from the Confirmation
Class of June 26, 1996 . Front row: Samuel Troup, Renee Snyder,
Ryan Snyder. In back, Pastor Lose.
Due to the lack of participation for this feature, we will discontinue it
for now. If there is interest and photos to share, we will resume again
in the future.
Give Electronically
Enjoy the Convenience of Electronic Giving As Christ’s United prepares for a new year, it is important to know
what support we can depend on from our congregation members. By
knowing what you are willing to commit financially, we are able to
better plan for the future. Please consider setting up a recurring
giving plan. Automating your financial commitments means your
contributions will be received on a steady, uninterrupted basis.
To set up a recurring giving schedule, visit us online at
www.christsunited.org, locate the Online Giving button and set up
your recurring giving schedule. The first time
you give, you will select a password that will
enable you to log in at any time and make
changes to your giving or view your complete
online giving history. Or if it’s easier, just scan
this QR code to get started.
20
Capital Campaign
Have you ever driven through a town and passed a church building that sat
empty, closed until Sunday? What thoughts go through your mind? What
are the people doing, that the building sits empty?
In the past years Christ's United's building has rarely sat empty: Youth,
WELCA, Men's Group, Journey programs, Seniors, decorating teams,
Social Ministry events, Ministry Team meetings and people just coming in
to pray are happening throughout the week. Neighbors asking "What's
going on at that church – there are always cars there!" is a source for the
congregation's growth; because while we may gather for worship on
weekends, we live our faith everyday.
It's a lot of use for a building more than twenty years old. Systems are soon
in need of repair or replacement. The Capital Campaign addresses our
needs. The Capital Campaign goal of $100,000, based on estimates
received, provides for a re-surfacing of our parking lot (DONE – the holes
are fixed!), replacement of our heating cooling units (six – parts no longer
entirely available), replacement of our roof (near the end of its commercial
life span and has had leaks), and the cleaning of our steeple (darkened by
mold).
With thanksgiving an initial gift of $32,000 was given by a couple to start
the campaign with the resurfacing of the parking lot to get us through the
winter – but we have a lot left to do! Please consider your pledge -
not to the continued use of our building – but the growth of ministry at
Christ's United.
Church: it's not just for Sundays anymore.
Christ’s United
Lutheran Church One God. One People. One Purpose.
Renewing in Faith “My house will be known as a house of prayer for all peoples”
Isaiah 56:7
Life Together at Christ’s United
9
SR YOUTH ACTIVITY
Shady Maple Smorgasboard
We will leave the church on
January 14th
at 9am
Estimated time of return is
late afternoon
Bring your appetite. There is no excuse
for leaving hungry!!
Lunch is $19.99 which includes tips, tax, drinks, dessert, and of course all
you can eat!! There is a really nice gift shop there so bring extra cash to
shop.
Sign up on the bulletin board.
10
2 Katelyn Bechtel
Barbara Pennypacker
Nathan Smith
3 Emily Reichwein
4 David Hepler
Margaret Koons
5 Miles Hudock
Kevin Wright
7 Katrina Economy
Brenda Knorr
8 Craig Troutman
10 Laray Klinger
Luke Young
Liam Young
11 Harry Hepler
12 Richard Knorr
Jennifer Lettich-Snyder
13 Jesse Cascarino
Trevor Wilson
14 Ron Andrews
Cheryl Neumeister
15 Karen Green
Hannah Sterling
16 Rylee Nagle
17 Jim Gruber
Deb Hall
18 Bill Burke
19 Deb Zaharick
20 Ian Bendinsky
Nathan Hepler
Jennie Kosmisky
21 Karen Schweinhart
23 David Chuplis
24 Katherine Bixler
Rachel Hostetter
25 Steven Wagner
30 Allen Johnson
Caleb Steinbauer
Amanda Sterling
Life Together at Christ’s United
19
JARED BOXES APPRECIATED
On behalf of the Pediatric Dept. at Lehigh Valley Health
Network, Schuylkill South, I would like to thank all of you
for the donation of the Jared Boxes for our patients. You
outdid yourself this year with 46 boxes. Well done! We
greatly appreciate it.
Thank you again,
Sandy Lynch, RN
18
The month that your
committee serves please
help out in the kitchen
before and after the service.
Also, please bring in baked
goods or other items for the
snacks. Thank you.
Fellowship Schedule
January—Choir/Worship &
Music
February—Social Ministry
March—LCM
April—WELCA
May—Evangelism/Outreach
June– Journey
July—Youth Group
occur throughout the year. Watch the Youth bulletin board and the Church FaceBook pages
We will be collecting
the following
items for January:
Diapers,
wipes, etc. Please place your
donations in the
shopping cart.
Thank You!
The next food
distribution date is
Thursday,
Jan.12, 2017
Life Together at Christ’s United
11
1/08/11 Douglas & Lindsay Fetterolf
01/13/72 Leroy & Deb Berner
01/16/ Michael & Nicole Steinbauer
01/20/05 Allen & Keri Johnson
01/30/82 Craig & Penny Troutman
Annual Reports Due!
All Committee Secretaries
and Treasurers must have
their reports submitted to the
church office by Monday,
January 29, 2017. This is the
deadline for all information or it will not be
included in the annual congregational report.
Our annual meeting is on Sunday, February 19
after worship. Thank You!
12
Give Electronically
Enjoy the Convenience of
Electronic Giving
As Christ’s United it is important to know what support
we can depend on from our congregation members. By
knowing what you are willing to commit financially, we
are able to better plan for the future. Please consider setting
up a recurring giving plan. Automating your financial
commitments means your contributions will be received
on a steady, uninterrupted basis.
To set up a recurring giving schedule, visit us online at
www.christsunited.org, locate the Online Giving button
and set up your recurring giving schedule. The first time
you give, you will select a password that will enable you
to log in at any time and make changes to your giving
or view your complete online giving
history. Or if it’s easier, just scan this
QR code to get started.
Dear Christ’s United Family,
Thank you so much from all of us for your Christmas gifts. Your generosity and support is very much appreciated.
Sincerely, Christ’s United Staff
Life Together at Christ’s United
17
PRAYER CHAIN
Each day members of Christ’s
United bow their heads and lift
their hearts in prayer for the
ministries of this congregation and
people in need. For the past several
years these Prayer Teams have
been silently serving God, the world, and us.
If you are committed to the power of prayer, please join one
of these teams. Prayer lists are available at worship services each
weekend, and a phone chain notifies you of immediate needs.
Please see Pastor Kim for more information.
Fund
Special Offering
January 28 & 29
Ignite!
It is with Christians as with burning coals. If these are scattered apart, one after the other, they are easily extinguished. But, when collected together, the fire of one preserves that of the other, and the glowing coals often ignite others that lie near. —August Francke
16
We Offer our Prayers to…
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please note that those experiencing a traumatic event
are placed onto the Prayer List and will be kept on
for one month. Please provide updates to the office
in order that the list is always current. If you would like someone added please
call the office: if you add someone to the prayer list on a Saturday evening or a
Sunday morning during worship, please make sure you write it down and place a
note on the prayer podium.
December 25 – Ned Leiby (A. Berger ), Alex Secly (A. Berger),
Bill Elwood, Amy Lanning (B. Andrews), David Sweinhart, Gail
Lorady
December 18-Tina Wolfe, Judy Stepulitis, Family of Sue Bendinsky
December 11 – Jaxon Klock, Families of Randy Troutman &
Maynard Hahs, Jean Welker
December 4 – Wendy Farnsworth (E. Chappell), Heidi Walsh
(T. Shilling), Families of Palmer Kimmel, Tim Varndell, Cappy
Johnson, & James L. Fetterolf, Doris McGurl (L. Lute), Benjamin
Lockhart (M. Bendinsky), Karyssa Wenrich (J. Clark), Elizabeth
Brown (G. Marquardt), Judy Fritz, Keith Morgan, Dean Fetterolf,
Barb Fetterolf, Harold Wink, Benjamin Lockhart (M. Bendinsky)
Praying Through the Directory
Each month we will be listing three of our church faith families. We
ask that you take the time and uplift them in prayer for their needs
and spiritual journey.
This month we pray for:
The Dillman Family—Geraldine
The Gruber Family—Jim & Darcie
The Hepler Family—David, Denise, Wyatt, Micah
Life Together at Christ’s United
13
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14
Sun Mon Tue Wed
1 1st Sunday of Christmas 2 3 4
9:30 Worship Service OFFICE CLOSED 10:00 Seniors
With Communion 11:15 Worship @
Luther Ridge 6:30 Choir Practice 2:00 Staff Meeting
New Year’s Day 7:00 Church Council 7:00 WELCA
8 Baptism of Our Lord 9 10 11
9:30 Worship Service 11:15 Worship @ 9:00 food Delivery 10:00 Seniors
10:30 Fellowship Luther Ridge 4:30 Sr. Youth Pizza
10;45 Journey 6:30 Choir Practice & Food Pantry Set
3:30 Ladies Nite Out 6:00 Mutual Ministry
15 2nd Sunday after Epiphany 16 M L King Day 17 18
9:30 Worship Service 11:15 Worship @ 10:00 Seniors
10:30 Fellowship Luther Ridge
10:45 Journey
7:00 Stewardship 6:30 Choir Practice
22 3rd Sunday after Epiphany 23 24 25
9:30 Worship Service 11:15 Worship @ Newsletter Assembly 10:00 Seniors
10:30 Fellowship Luther Ridge
10:45 Journey 6:30 Choir Practice
29 4th Sunday after Epiphany 30 31 Good Samaritan Fund Offering 11:15 Worship @ 9:30 Worship Luther Ridge
10:30 Fellowship
10:45 Journey 6:00 Grief Support
January 2017
Life Together at Christ’s United
15
Wed Thu Fri Sat
5 6 7
10:00 Seniors
2:00 Staff Meeting 7:00 Evangelism/ 5:00 Worship Service
7:00 WELCA Outreach Meeting
12 13 14
10:00 Seniors 10:00 – 12:00 Christ’s Cupboard
Newsletter Deadline
9:00 a.m. Sr. Youth to Shady Maple Smorgasbord
4:30 Sr. Youth Pizza
& Food Pantry Set-up 5:00 Worship Service
19 20 21
10:00 Seniors 12:00 – 2:00 Ashland
Area Food Pantry @
Good Shepherd 5:00 Worship Service
7:00 Personnel
26 27 28
10:00 Seniors
5:00 Worship Service
January 2017
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